Former US Cycling Coach Chris Carmichael interviews the 1997 VeloNews Rider of the Year, Bobby Julich. This interview origiannly appeared on the Cycle-Ops Web Site.

Bobby, after last season’s success in the Tour de France, what are your expectations for the 1998 Tour ?

Now that I have finished the Tour and finished well, I naturally have high expectations for this year. I realize that it is going to be more tough to repeat or better my results from last year, but that is what I have in mind. I am going to focus on the Tour and ultimately have set a goal for top 12. Casagrande is going to be the leader in the Tour and I hope to help him finish in the top 5. This is not going to be easy, but if we can play off the big teams like Telekom, Festina, and Once, I believe that we can accomplish our goals. I realize that the longer stage races are better for me and I will continue to ride to the best of my abilities. There are many things that have to go right in order to be competing for top honors and I am prepared to make those sacrifices.

What gears do you use on the mountain stages of the Tour de France ? How about in the time trials ?

The mountains in this years’ Tour were not all that steep, they were just very long! Usually, I would be using 39X19 or 21. I was rarely in with the big boys going for the win and that is where the Tour is won. I have to make much more progression before I am able to go for a mountain stage win in the Tour. The first time trial was a nightmare. There were many gear changes and the weather played a huge part during my ride. The last TT, I was feeling great and rolling the 54X12 and 11 for the first 45km. The last 20km I was groveling and just trying to make it to the finish so I am not aware of the gear that I was using!

What was the toughest stage for you in the 1997 Tour de France?

The toughest stage in the Tour was the first day in the mountains! We did nothing but cat 3&4 climbs for the first 8 days, then we were hit with the big ones in one day. I really suffered over the first 2 climbs especially the Tourmalet. The last few climbs of the day I was all alone 20 mins behind, but actually felt better on the last climb than the first. That was when I knew that the Tour was not over for me and that I would start to ride better. I always seem to have to "blow out the pipes" before I can climb with the better riders.

Have you been working on an specific areas (i.e.: climbing, time trailing, etc…) in order to gain improvements to help you in the 1998 Tour de France?

You always try new things to guarantee future success, and this year is no different. I have changed my position a little and have concentrated on weights this off-season. As far as climbing and time trialing, I believe that there is no time better than the races to work on your weakness. I always try to go all out regardless of my G.C. position in order to work on my time trialing and I think that it paid big rewards this year. Sure you are going to suffer through some hard times, but when it really counts you will be more relaxed and confident in your abilities.

Bobby, you have always been very good in stage races, why do you think this is?

First of all I think that I have been blessed with good recovery skills. The race doesn’t stop when you cross the finish line. All the little things that you do after the race really add up after 21 days. I always remember the saying, "if you are standing, you should be sitting and if you are sitting you should be lying down!"

There is no better recovery than rest, so I try to optimize that as much as I can.

Bobby, you started racing as a junior, what important things would you stress to junior cyclists? What are you currently doing for training?

I guess that the number one piece of advice I can give is NEVER GIVE UP! I have been through many ups and downs and have become stronger because of it. There is no way that we can win every race or even feel good on every ride. We just have to remember the good ones and get back on the bike the next day without all the baggage that you have suffered in the past, no matter how bad it is. I love to ride my bike and it has taken me many places and allowed me to experience many things. None of that would have been possible without perseverance and the love of the sport.

Who do you think are the favorites for the 1998 Tour de France ?–any dark horses ?

I think that the Tour is Ulrich’s to loose. It seems better suited to his abilities than most of the other riders. Zulle, Virenque, Olano, and Casagrande are my other top picks. There is always going to be someone that no one expects, and I hope that the dark-horse is ME!!

What do think of Lance Armstrong’s comeback?

I think that it is nothing short of a miracle, but then again I expected nothing less from Lance. He is the most mentally strong and determinded person that I have ever met and wish him the best of luck. I just wish that I was racing with him and not against him, because I believe that he is going to come back even better than before.

Bobby, I read in a recent VeloNews that George Hincapie said "I taught Bobby how to climb and he is lucky I am a sprinter or he would be in trouble"… is this true? Any comments ?

George has taught me a lot of things since I met him in 1987. I don’t know about climbing, but he has taught me to be more gracious in victory after a good game of Sega NBA JAM!! Of course I had to let him win a few times so that I would not blow his morale!!

I have heard, that Chris Carmichael taught you how to ski and he used to take you and Chann McRae on some epic backcountry ski trip for winter training. Is this true ? any comments ?

Chris did not teach me how to ski, but it is true that we had many "epic" training sessions in the backcountry. Chann and I, as well as some other resident athletes at the OTC used these days not as training, but as adventures. Those were some of the best times as young senior riders. After the day in the snow the best time we had however, were listening to the stories that Chris told us. He would tell us that this is what "real" men did for training and that it would pay off in the future… I guess that he was right!